Moving from Durham, NC to Fremont, CA
It is 2794 mi and 49h 33m from Durham to Fremont β a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2794 mi Β· 49h 33m by car Β· NC β VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, US 52 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Cary, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 18.5% above Durham β 97.572 β 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
18.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 14.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Fremont β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DURHAM, NC US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.97 |
Expect median household income to rise 18.5% β $79,234 β $176,350 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fremont MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Fremont sees only 14.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Durham vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $79,234 in Durham β a 122.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fremont more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 18.5% higher than Durham (115.613 vs 97.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $396,395 in Durham β a 289.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 336,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Durham to Fremont?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2794 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fremont, CA from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 2794 mi and the route typically takes 49h 33m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC Β· Fremont, CA.